The Importance of R&R

Living in a culture that emphasizes the importance of hard work and hustle leads many to prioritize their work over their well-being. Our society tells us that if we work hard, we will become successful. But that “work hard” mentality leads to sleep deprivation, overwhelm, stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. This is why making time for R&R in our busy work schedules is important.

What is R&R?

Originally a military term, R&R stood for rest and recuperation. Now it can also mean rest and relaxation or rest and recreation. Any way you choose to put it, it all means giving yourself some time off from work, some “me-time”, some time to renew and recharge.

R&R comes in many forms. It can include fun activities or simply time alone to unplug. This time can include more sleep, getting exercise, scheduling time to meditate, or spending a day outside, to give you a few ideas. Ultimately, it’s time to get out of the office, away from your computers and emails, and enjoy rest and relaxation.

No matter your level of drive and motivation, humans are not designed like the Energizer Bunny. We are not programmed to run on high for prolonged periods of time without proper rest. We all need down time to give our bodies and minds time to renew and recover. Think of yourself as a real life technological device. You wouldn’t leave your phone or laptop on and in use for too long without recharging it and expecting it to last forever. So why would you expect that of yourself?

What are the benefits of R&R?

Rest and relaxation are both crucial to maintain optimal functioning, prevent illness, and help us avoid burnout. In terms of productivity, while it often may seem counter-intuitive, or even impossible to take a break when you have a large workload or pressing deadlines, research has revealed that people actually perform better at work and in life when they incorporate proper relaxation into their lives.

More specifically, spending a day at the beach or simply turning off your phone and computer a couple hours before bed can help:

Restore Our Energy - We often forget that we don’t have an unlimited amount of energy to expend daily and we push ourselves past that threshold. This results in overworking and can lead to a general lack of wellness. We need to recharge our batteries from time to time in order to perform at peak effectiveness at work and in life. By simply giving ourselves time to unwind, relax and get proper sleep, we regenerate our energy supply for more productive days.

Repair Our Bodies - Our bodies have time to properly heal and repair themselves when we rest. By skipping out on proper sleep because we think we need more awake hours in the day to be productive, we aren’t allowing our bodies that time to restore and repair from daily wear and tear. This prevents us from achieving optimal health and can take a toll on both our mental and physical health. Lack of rest can lead to illness and fatigue which directly and negatively affects our productivity. It can also increase our stress levels and pain sensitivity.

Improve Our Concentration and Memory - An active mind can get tired the same way our bodies do from being physically active. A job that requires a lot of mental stimulation, or even dealing with a lot of internal mental chatter can drain our brains of energy. When our brains are fatigued, we limit our ability to concentrate, reason, and problem-solve. When we sleep or rest, we give ourselves a chance to quiet our thoughts and let our minds rest. Not only do we allow our minds to rest and recharge when we sleep, but our brain is able to properly sort and store the information we’ve gathered throughout the day for improved memory.

Stimulate Our Creativity - Creativity is like a muscle. Just as you need rest after a workout for your body to repair itself, you need rest to stay connected to your creativity. Too much stress and busyness can disconnect us from our full creative potential. This impairs our ability to solve problems and limits our innovation as an individual and a team player. By slowing down, cutting back, and allowing ourselves to rest and relax, we are able to recharge our creativity.

Enhance Our Mood - Rest and relaxation makes us happier. Relaxation helps relieve stress, making room for contentment and a sense of well-being. Choosing to do nothing and allow your thoughts to wander aimlessly can bring a sense of peace. If your downtime includes physical activity, your brain releases endorphins which combat stress. Similarly, listening to music or enjoying a good meal releases dopamine, which is a feel-good chemical. Choosing to lie in bed and think about positive things that bring us happiness will in turn help us feel happy as well.

Reminding ourselves to take time off or schedule time to rest can be difficult, especially for those of us who have demanding jobs and busy schedules. However, by taking time to properly rest and recuperate, we are contributing to our overall productivity by accomplishing more in less time. The goal is to work smarter, not harder. Which is why we should all engage in a little R&R.